Love Me Not

Love Me Not Edited by NiceGirlNaughtyEditsEdited by Beth HudsonCover Designer Fine’s Fine DesignsFormatting Caelan Fine Love Me Not Copyright © 2023 Shayna Astor This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, locations, events, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual person, living or deceased, or actual events, is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotation in book reviews. For more information, address [email protected] From the Author Love Me Not is a full-length, stand alone that features strong language, mature situations, explicit sexual scenes, mentions of Alzheimer’s, and death of a loved one. This book is intended for readers age 18 and up. Thank you so much for reading my novel! I hope you enjoy reading it, as much as I enjoyed writing it! Other Books by Shayna Astor Hot & Cold Shattered Pieces Own Me (A dark romance) Off Limits (Book 1 in the Limits Series) Faking Perfection :A Brighton High Reunion (Coming June 2023) Unknown Suitor : The Holidates Series (Coming December 2023) Stay tuned for The Baker Sibling Series. Coming Fall 2023. Dedication To those who have crossed the fine line that exists between love and hate. Contents 1. Chapter 1 2. Chapter 2 3. Chapter 3 4. Chapter 4 5. Chapter 5 6. Chapter 6 7. Chapter 7 8. Chapter 8 9. Chapter 9 10. Chapter 10 11. Chapter 11 12. Chapter 12 13. Chapter 13 14. Chapter 14 15. Chapter 15 16. Chapter 16 17. Chapter 17 18. Chapter 18 19. Chapter 19 20. Chapter 20 21. Chapter 21 22. Chapter 22 23. Chapter 23 24. Chapter 24 25. Chapter 25 26. Chapter 26 27. Chapter 27 28. Chapter 28 29. Chapter 29 30. Chapter 30 31. Chapter 31 32. Chapter 32 33. Chapter 33 34. Chapter 34 35. Chapter 35 36. Chapter 36 37. Epilogue . Chapter . Chapter Acknowledgments About the Author Chapter 1 Everybody has that one person in their life who makes their day less enjoyable. The one who you have to psych yourself up to be around. Who, once they leave, you find yourself working the kink out of your specially constructed armor. The bane of your very existence. I work with mine. Which means I see him at least five days a week, every so often a full seven. It certainly makes life difficult. But I’m nothing if not professional, able to lock away my emotions and keep my hatred to a taunting level of banter. I do my best to avoid him at all costs beyond that. Chase Andrews and I have been working at the same law firm for five years. We’ve been competitors since day one. We’ve hated each other since day two. It was all well and cute until we worked our first case together and spent more time arguing than going over our depositions, arguments, and witness statements. We won the case, but only by the skin of our teeth. After that, we haven’t had to work closely again. Sure, we always have some interaction, some crossover. We’re the two top attorneys at our practice, outside of the partners, that is. Last night, news broke about a big celebrity couple from our small area. They’re the wealthiest people in town and he’s some sort of music star. Apparently, he’s been cheating for several years, and the wife just found out. I’m sure the partners are drooling over it, and it’d be a case that could make my career, so I can’t help but be excited too. Which means so is Chase. It’s a Tuesday in mid-April, and to prep myself for another day of Chase, I blare a Sevendust song before getting out of the car and looking up at our building. Walking in, I can already tell the day is nothing like normal. People are milling about everywhere, buzzing chatter filling the air, and all secretaries have phones pressed to their ears, including mine. “Nance, what’s going on?” I lean down and whisper to her before opening the door to my office. “Didn’t you see the news last night?” Of course, I had. The Douglas split. It’d be impossible to miss. Not to mention, it was on every radio station. But that doesn’t explain the chaos. My knit-together brows and lost eyes must be enough for her. “They called here, and we took the case. Word is, you and Chase are on it.” Now my brows shoot sky high, eyes bulging. We cannot work together. Nope, not possible. “Prescott!” If I wasn’t so used to my name being bellowed in the surly voice of Mr. Lions, I would have jumped. As it is, this happens about three times a week. Setting my bag and coat against the side of Nancy’s desk, I smooth my blouse and skirt and take a deep breath before walking over to Mr. Lions’ office, a peppy, albeit fake, smile plastered on my face. “Good morning, sir.” “In my office. Now.” He stays in his spot against the doorframe, forcing me to walk past so I’m ahead of him—so he can stare at my ass, no doubt—and I take the added steps until I reach his office. I hate that he looks at me in such an objective way, but I’m the only female at my level, and it’s an unfortunate reality of the world I live in. At least here. Would it be different elsewhere? I have wondered. My veins fill with icy sludge before I’m even through the door. It’s the very second I see the smug smirk sitting on Chase’s face. “Sit, Elizabeth.” Mr. Lions’ voice tears me from my spot, causing me to take the chair next to Chase with hasty but reluctant steps. Angling myself into the corner farthest from him, I rest my chin on